a r t i s t : Mathias Grassow & Amir Baghiri
t i t l e : True North
d a t e : 1998
l a b e l : Arya
g e n r e : Ambient
r l s. d a t e : 2007-06-13
t r a c k s : 12
b i t r a t e : VBR, 44.1Khz, Joint Stereo
s i z e : 106 MB
_______________________________________________________________________
My first exposure to both Amir Baghiri and Mathias Grassow finds them on a
collaborative expedition to uncover the dark secrets of True North. The
sounds within are gorgeously stylized in their otherwordliness, sonically
arranged with electronics, processing, ethnic instruments, voices (?) and a
special guest appearance by "Anke the Dog" with her delicious bones.
Moodily setting the scene within a cold, mysterious land, the subtly
chilling textures of Jotunheimen are more than appropriate... soft,
tinkling clatters appear over ominously drifting synth swells which segue
into Finnmark, where soft, tribalistic rhythms (and occasional bell, shaker
and organic sounds) emerge from the grey synthmists. 66033' marks the spot
for placidly sparkling rays and atmospheric washes adorned by some
textures, bells and icy wind.
The sound of the Old Man Walking (11:41) is a shuffling (almost train-like)
cycle against soft waves; eventually a crackling fire and chant are
discernable deep within the mix. A short bit, Really Trolls features slight
shimmers and glints. Fjell og Fjord consists of grittier sounds (Is that
Anke I hear?) cast over swelling gusts and eventually, distant ethnic
percussion.
Against a frigid howl of faraway winds, Polarnights is envigorated by soft,
rhthmic effects and a swirling miasma of sonic ephemera, fading into the
windblown world of Hardanger Vidda, where flutes are intermittently heard,
crying out into the void, joined by waterdrumming and assorted tribal
instruments. The pattering of ceramic bowls manages to cut through the
frosty haze Tussen (1:13), at least temporarily.
Man of Aran evolves from the previous piece, spreading into a driftier
expanse, with a chugging background accompaniment, sifting grains of snow
and assorted other light touches. A splashy pattern is explored At the
Waterfall, which recedes then returns. In the end, it's the Beginning...
drizzle seems to fall over an almost-symphonic drone intermingled with a
sweetly swirling gauze. The weather clears, and after six minutes,
non-intrusive percussion and fauna sounds enter the scene, fortifying this
definitely brighter time in a sometimes forboding land.
Despite the predilection here for "coldness", I note a definite resemblance
to the general sound formulas of Steve Roach/Vidna Obmana's Well of Souls
and its resultant tribal murk.
With True North, Amir Baghiri and Mathias Grassow lead the way to a
similarly entrancing trek to another isolated mystery place, with a
commendable 8.5 notation in my travel log.
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Jotunheimen 3:48
2. Finnmark 8:59
3. 66 33' 8:35
4. Old Man Walking 11:41
5. Really Trolls 2:30
6. Fjell og Fjord 3:12
7. Polarnights 2:28
8. Hardanger Vidda 6:39
9. Tussen 1:13
10. Man of Aran 9:47
11. At the Waterfall 3:50
12. Beginning 11:00